FENRAD Hails Otti Over Salary Increase for Abia Assembly Workers, Seeks Extension to Other MDAs

The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) Nigeria has called on Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, to extend improved salary arrangements to other categories of public servants following the approval of a 25 per cent implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) for eligible workers of the Abia State House of Assembly.

The organisation commended the governor for approving the salary structure, describing the decision as an important step towards improving workers’ welfare and strengthening the state’s legislative administration.

However, FENRAD said the welfare of public servants should not be restricted to workers in the legislative arm, urging the state government to consider similar salary improvement measures for employees across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

According to reports published by The Punch, the approved 25 per cent CONLESS implementation is scheduled to commence in January 2027. The development reportedly makes Abia the first state in the South-East to adopt the salary structure for parliamentary workers.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, the organisation’s Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, said the approval represents recognition of the contributions of public servants to democratic governance and institutional development.

FENRAD, however, stressed that teachers, healthcare professionals, local government employees, administrative personnel and other public sector workers also play critical roles in delivering essential government services and deserve improved remuneration and decent working conditions.

The organisation acknowledged that legislative workers operate under a distinct remuneration framework but maintained that the state government’s broader workers’ welfare policy should accommodate other categories of employees.

It therefore urged Governor Otti to consider extending comparable salary improvement measures to other government institutions, subject to applicable regulations, affordability and fiscal sustainability.

FENRAD Lists Recommendations for Abia Government

Beyond the call for an extension of salary improvements, FENRAD outlined several measures it believes would strengthen workers’ welfare and promote accountability in the Abia public service.

The organisation called for the transparent implementation of the approved 25 per cent CONLESS adjustment from January 2027, in accordance with the government’s approval.

It also urged the state government to make adequate budgetary provisions for salary improvements and ensure transparency in public expenditure.

Other recommendations include regular reviews of public sector remuneration to reflect inflation and prevailing economic realities, as well as sustained engagement with organised labour, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.

FENRAD further advocated an inclusive workers’ welfare policy that ensures no category of public servants is unnecessarily excluded from government efforts to improve remuneration and working conditions.

FENRAD: Good Governance Must Improve Workers’ Living Conditions

The organisation maintained that good governance should be measured beyond infrastructure projects and policy announcements, arguing that government policies must also translate into improved living conditions, dignity and economic security for citizens.

It encouraged Governor Otti and the Abia State Government to build on the CONLESS approval by developing a broader workers’ welfare framework that recognises the contributions of all categories of public servants.

FENRAD also reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with government and other stakeholders in advancing social justice, human rights, environmental sustainability and accountable governance in Abia State and Nigeria.